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A quick and dirty search on google turned up a short Wikipedia article and references to her books, which are not mentioned here. She was a poet who published six books between 1935 and 1947. She was born April 3, 1908 in the teeny town (pop. 20 - 25) of Hortense, Texas. According to the Wikipedia article, her husband, Claudio Ammarito was an artist and a composer and Mary wrote the libretto for an opera he wrote, "Paradise Lost (A comedy for Modern Times)." They met in a museum (in New York City?) and then spent most of their lives in the Canary Islands, where they entertained artists and were close friends of Eleanor Post, a daughter of Marjorie Post. The Wikipedia article doesn't mention her enamels, but she was apparently a serious artist and had a one-person show in at the Woodstock Gallery in London in 1973. Sounds like she had a fabulous life. The story and the house, as well as what happened to it after her death, reminds me of Grey Gardens. Surely something about her is in an artist's file somewhere--maybe in London? Or maybe in Texas? If only I had nothing else to do--seems like the research on this interesting woman would be fascinating. Even if the portrait is never found, this seems like someone whose life story would be worth reviving. And perhaps that of her husband as well. No, I REALLY can't dig into it any further--but maybe another ARLIS colleague could?? Joan -----Original Message----- From: ARLIS/NA List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of cindy Baker Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2015 12:07 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [ARLIS-L] Info on Mary Collins Ammarito I am Mary's great niece by her older brother. I have any extensive collection of her enamels on copper and provenance from her America show, some personal affects, photos with husband Claudio and Eleanor Post who she accompanied on many occasions as a travel partner. I attended her first American show in Philedelphia in 1973 where we lunched as a family including two of my other cousins, mother, her brother and sister and Eleanor Post also joined us. When we had lunch with them I was a teen Claudio, Aunt Mary and Eleanor were all in their late seventies early 80's. We stayed in and lunched in the hotel that was later torn down due to legionnaires virus. I have pamphlets and a write up from the Philedelphia art show. I have a few of her original print soft side books but they are in poor condition. What I seek that went missing at her death is a portrait of my Aunt Mary full length standing with two afghan hounds. Despite many attempts, My grandfather and mother died before either was able to recover it. I continue the effort. It is important to our family to find this missing, stolen portrait. I have a picture of it if you have any way to help with this piece of our family history. My aunt was a Ziegfeld folly girl in New York City as well however details are not available to confirm details. We are of the understanding that she and Claudio met in one of the museums she regularly visited where he followed her about until he finally came up to meet her. They married and lived most their lives in the Canary Islands, serving as counsel and vice counsel between Spain and the isles. My mother traveled there on my aunts death to see to her affairs and spent time with the nun from the convent that cared to her needs in her final days. A local missionary lady helped my mom navigate and translated for her but I don't know her name or how the connection had been made. The nun provided Eleanor's assistants contact information at the time who later confirmed their friendship. I think this was all in 1980. By time my mom arrived, their home had been looted and nothing remained the house was literally stripped bare. There were holes punched in the walls as the looters searched for her jewelry and a few affects that had already been sent to the USA to her brother, my grandfather via diplomatic pouch. A ring that Claudio had given her was worn on the leg of their parrot remains missing. This trivia was reported by the nun. Another eclectic aspect in their later years reported was their pets including birds, cats as well as a goat and mule freely wandered through their house. It was reported the house I earlier times was a garden paradise with parties, and guests that were in the art scene. I was told the family history that she left home for NYC at a young age to pursue her art career. Her artful ways made her a black sheep of the family from a conservative family background although she was always in contact and loved. My aunt Mary was eclectic, a jet setter of the times and traveled with Eleanor throughout Europe. It is our understanding they were close friends for many years. So perhaps this helps your research and anything you can offer in return would be greatly appreciated. Cynthia Baker ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mail submissions to [log in to unmask] For information about joining ARLIS/NA see: http://www.arlisna.org/membership/join-arlisna Send administrative matters (file requests, subscription requests, etc) to [log in to unmask] ARLIS-L Archives and subscription maintenance: http://lsv.arlisna.org Questions may be addressed to list owner (Judy Dyki) at: [log in to unmask] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mail submissions to [log in to unmask] For information about joining ARLIS/NA see: http://www.arlisna.org/membership/join-arlisna Send administrative matters (file requests, subscription requests, etc) to [log in to unmask] ARLIS-L Archives and subscription maintenance: http://lsv.arlisna.org Questions may be addressed to list owner (Judy Dyki) at: [log in to unmask] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~